A Smith-predictor-based generalised predictive controller for mobile robot path-tracking

This paper shows how to improve the robustness of mobile robot path tracking when predictive control algorithms are used. When uncertainties in a mobile robot are considered, it is shown how the classical generalised predictive controller (GPC) may lead to an unstable behaviour of the mobile robot. The equivalence between the GPC and a structure composed by an optimal predictor and a classical controller is given, and it is shown that use of a Smith predictor instead of an optimal predictor increases the robustness of the system. A new strategy, the Smith-predictor-based GPC, is proposed. Experimental tests carried out on a LABMATE mobile robot validate the performance of the proposed controller.